Colorado-based Potcheen Takes Sitzmark Stage

Published: February 29, 2012

Pirate crew of Colorado-based band Potcheen takes a port of call in Girdwood this St. Patrick’s Day at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill

February 28, 2012 (Girdwood, Alaska) – In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the longer days of spring, Alyeska Resort presents the high energy and contagious sounds of Colorado-based band Potcheen for three nights, March 15, 16 and 17. The 21 and over shows are at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill at 10:00 P.M. and tickets are $10 in advanced or $15 day of show.

Potcheen (Poitin’) means “Illegal Moonshine Whiskey” in Irish and this band embraces the impurities and off flavors of the original mash. The band began their unique sound in 2003 and has survived the highs and lows of life while producing five albums and performing over 2000 shows. Potcheen delivers a rapid high energy show mixing Celtic tradition with flavors of Bluegrass, Zydeco, Punk, jam, blues and rock all rolled together with a dash of “pirate sensibility.”

“The song ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ is 800 years old,” Neil Zimmerman, Potcheen guitarist, points out. “It’s been done in 9,000 different ways. We do a very upbeat version of it, and I think it’s cool that it’s survived this long”.

The band is made up of eight pirates. The “Cap’n” is Christian Blochinger master of the drums, percussion, and vocals. Hailing from New York City and relocated to New Jersey as a wee lad, Christian was brought up on classic rock and jam bands. Attending college in Florida, he learned percussion at drum circles in the “jungle” and at Dead Shows (having the honor of meeting heroes: Jerry Garcia, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzman, Bruce Hornsby, Vince Welnick and Merle Saunders) along the eastern seaboard.

Christian headed west to Colorado in 1994; he is the founder of the first Celtic pirate-punk-folk-rock band. His band, Potcheen, has performed with thousands of musicians across the country and Christian, himself, lays down the grooves and beats on drums and percussion while singing lead vocals.

The “Dread Pirate ZIM,” Neil Zimmerman plays electric and acoustic guitar as well as the ukulele. An accomplished guitarist and composer, Neil is signed to several music libraries and has composed songs for television and commercials. Long time friends and peers in the Denver music scene, the two “east coast pirates” joined forces with Potcheen and have traveled through many ports of calls.

A native of the Rocky Mountains, Joseph Barton plays bass and electric guitar and is an institution in the Colorado music scene. Joseph is often called upon by national bands and has played with some of the best rock, blues and jam bands currently touring. Bobby Krech of Arizona is the “fiddle ninja” playing both mandolin and fiddle. As a wee lad, he snuck aboard a train heading west and made his living in saloons and flophouses playing tunes for pennies.

Glenn Tapia hails from the southern deserts of Colorado and sets the groove on bass guitar. This bandito extraordinaire slung a five-string bass on his back and ventured near and far for the love of music. He joined forces with the Potcheen Pirates and has helped navigate the oceans of sound and maelstroms of melody with his indomitable will.

Andrea Love of Kennesaw, Georgia is known as “Lady Love” and plays the tin whistle, acoustic guitar and is lead singer. This Georgia Peach began playing piano at the age of nine and wrote her first song a year later. Her thirst for musical knowledge too her around the world culminating with a year in Cork, Ireland. Back in the U.S., she has won several vocal competitions in Gaelic and English. Along her journey, Andrea has also learned to play the Irish flute, bodhran and clarinet.

Juoquina Lluma from Buenos Aires, Argentina is fondly called “Lady LaRockina.” This senorita rocks the bass guitar and from her home land, found herself in Los Angeles and promptly joined a Punk band and found her way to Denver where she spends all her time with her pirate mates. “Lady” Anne Savage of Iowa rounds of the pirate crew playing fiddle and harp. At the age of two, she picked up a fiddle and has continued her musical training at The Interlocken Arts Academy, Oberlin Conservatory, The University of Colorado, School of Music, and The prestigious Boston Conservatory.

There is a special two for one offer on tickets for the Thursday night show. For all three nights, Odom Southern Wine & Spirits will be sponsoring an Irish-themed party. Guests dressed in their best Irish, pirate or green costumes will be eligible to win great prizes from Guinness™ and Jameson Irish Whiskey™. Tickets are available online, by phone at 907-754-2215, or in person at the Alyeska Ticket Office or Sitzmark.

For a full music experience, the resort offers Sitz & Play lodging packages that include one-night stay plus concert tickets for two to four adults. For more information on packages or for a full line-up of upcoming live shows, check online at www.AlyeskaResort.com or call 800-880-3880 or 907-754-2111.

About Alyeska Resort (www.AlyeskaResort.com) Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring The Hotel Alyeska, an award-winning 304 room full-service property. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions. Alyeska Resort stands out during ski season with 650” of average snowfall annually and the longest-continuous double black diamond ski run in North America. Learn more about the resort and plan your Alaskan adventure at www.AlyeskaResort.com or 800.880.3880.